MEDIA RELEASE

A Kealakekua man died Wednesday after his car overturned on Highway 190 in North Kona.

The victim was identified as 39-year-old Timothy Fernandez.

Kona patrol officers responded to a 7:25 a.m. call and determined that Fernandez had been traveling north on Highway 190 in a 2004 Mazda pickup truck. He overtook another vehicle north of the 26-mile marker and then lost control, hit a rock embankment and overturned.

Fire Department personnel extricated Fernandez from the pickup and then took him to Kona Community Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead at 9:53 a.m.

Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash but they believe speed was a factor. Fernandez was not wearing a seatbelt.

Police closed Highway 190 in both directions and diverted traffic for about three hours while investigating the crash.

The death is the 12th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with the same number at this time last year.